MTFCA Forum

The box end wrench is marked Fomoco in an oval. Is a car or tractor wrench. I found the box end along with the 6” Stilson wrench. It was on the bottom of a box of old files and hammers. Looks like it wasent used much considering the condition of the handle.

Others will chime in I guess but I'm pretty sure the box wrench is a tractor tool.

John, that box end wrench looks more like a ring spanner. I have yet to see a round box, other than a cardboard hat box.

Allan from down under.

From google search on the numerals on that Ford wrench you pictured:



1940’s Ford spark plug and cylinder head nut wrench.

This wrench went through many design changes through the course of years due to the changing of spark plugs and hardware configuations.



In 1940, the wrench was redesigned again to 2 different wrenches. The first 01A-17017 (head nut end had a 12 point instead of 6 point opening), and then to the later common 01A-17017-B. This wrench as we know it has a box end on each end. The "B" suffix wrench was used until 1948 in V8's that used the 14 mm plug.


p.s. Allan in the states we call ‘em ‘box’ wrenches, agree they are ring like, but these wrenches completely box-in the hex nut, unlike open end ones

Early Ford V8 head nut wrench. Have one in my '42 Sedan tool kit.

I was thinking it was from the Ford V8 era. My Father had Ford tractors from the 40’s onward and I was thinking it was from one of them.

Dan, just pullin' your leg a bit. Calling that a box end is about as logical as pronouncing solder as sodder!

Allan from down under.

Allan, here is my box end wrench!

Now that make sense Dallas. I've seen those but had no photo to post.

Allan from down under.

Dallas isn’t that a cultivator wrench? We had a few of those around the farm. My grandfather moved out here and brought his mule drawn farm implements when he lost his farm in the late 40’s. He had a lot of old tools and there was a few of those among his farm stuff. The square end of this wrench would fit the iron cap on some of the old mule drawn implement wheels.

John, using that tool to remove grease cups makes good sense. Most I have seen appear to be cast iron, and as such will not take a heavy load without breaking. I have seen square nuts holding the wheels on horse drawn buggies, and thought that may be what the wrench was for.

Allan from down under.